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Olbernhau is situated at an altitude of 440 m in the Flöha valley in Ore Mountains region of Saxony, close to the border to the Czech Republic. The municipality has a population of about 11,000 and also includes the communities of Blumenau, Oberneuschönberg, Niederneuschönberg, Hirschberg, Reukersdorf, Rothenthal and Kleinneuschönberg.

The origins of Olbernhau go back to the 12th/13th century. The earliest written mention of Albernhaw or Olbernhaw date from 1434 and 1497, respectively. Mining activities are documented as early as 1511. With the introduction of the Protestant faith, the community became an independent parish in 1539. In 1902 Olbernhau was chartered as a town.

The town church [left] was built in 1590 in place of an older chapel. After severe damages during the Thirty Years War (1618–1648) it was rebuilt in 1639.